Congress Leader Gehlot Accuses BJP-RSS of Unauthorised Temple Control
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday slammed the BJP and RSS over the alleged mismanagement of funds at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, accusing them of 'whitewashing theft' and demanding that the details of all donations be made public. Speaking to the media, Gehlot said, 'Their real face has come to the fore, their 'chaal, charitra and chehra' is before the people. The BJP-RSS have captured the temple administration in an unauthorised manner.'
Allegations of Fund Misuse and Non-Disclosure
Gehlot's remarks come after reports surfaced that the trust managing the Ram Mandir had not disclosed the total amount of donations received or how the funds were utilised. The Congress party has called for a thorough investigation into the financial dealings of the temple trust, which is overseen by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Gehlot claimed that the BJP and RSS are trying to hide the truth about the donations, which he estimated to be in the hundreds of crores of rupees.
BJP-RSS Response Expected
The BJP and RSS have not yet responded to the allegations. However, sources within the temple trust have previously stated that all donations are accounted for and used for the construction and maintenance of the temple complex. The trust has also published some financial details on its website, but critics argue that the information is incomplete.
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
The controversy has sparked a political debate, with the Congress party demanding a parliamentary committee probe into the matter. Social media users have also expressed concerns over the lack of transparency. Gehlot emphasised that the Congress will continue to press for full disclosure, stating, 'The people of India have a right to know how their donations are being used.'
Previous Controversies Over Temple Funds
This is not the first time the Ram Mandir trust has faced questions over financial transparency. In 2024, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India raised concerns about the accounting practices of the trust. The trust has maintained that it follows all legal and financial norms.
